OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, pulls back all major public announcements made regarding its collaboration with Jony Ive’s io. The collaboration at the time of the announcement promised some really interesting and coming-of-age AI innovations to come to life in the near future. The incident took place on Sunday when the AI giant scrubbed off all its handles, including the website with information concerning the partnership. 

The partnership brewed some significant excitement in the tech world as it promised to get hardware, rather than wearables or smartphones with built-in AI capabilities, transforming how people conceive of these in their daily lives. The pullback can be understood through a recent claim made by iyO, a startup spun out of Google's moonshot factory, which sounds like io. The company is suing OpenAI, io, Altman, and Ive for trademark infringement.

To read more about the collaboration, click here! 

Working on a similar innovation 

According to a lawsuit filed on June 9, iyO’s latest product—the iyO ONE—is an ear-worn device that leverages specialized microphones and bone-conduction technology to let users control audio-based applications using only their voice, Business Insider reports.

Meanwhile, OpenAI’s partnership with Jony Ive’s firm, io, is reportedly developing a similar screenless, voice-activated AI device, raising potential concerns over overlapping design or functionality.

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OpenAI Rejects the Claims 

Under the terms of the agreement, Jony Ive’s firm was set to lead creative direction and design efforts at OpenAI, with a focus on developing a new line of consumer devices. While the announcement offered few specifics about the products in development, Sam Altman described the collaboration as one that would help define the “future of AI.”

"We don't agree with the complaint and are reviewing our options," OpenAI told Business Insider.